Women's World Cup to expand to 48 teams at 2031 tournament
The Women's World Cup will expand to 48 teams from the 2031 tournament onwards after the proposal was approved by Fifa Council on Friday, the Guardian understands.
The UK is set to host the event in 2035 and that tournament will now involve 12 groups of four teams and more than 100 matches, with the format mirroring the newly expanded men's World Cup. It is understood Fifa took this decision after consulting the continental confederations and believe expansion of its most important tournament befits the rapid growth of the women's game.
Related: England's World Cup run ends in heartache as Spain claim their first title
Advertisement
The World Cup increased in size from 24 to 32 teams for the 2023 event in Australia and New Zealand. It will again have 32 teams for the 2027 edition in Brazil. The eight venues for 2027's event – including the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro – were confirmed earlier this week.
The United States is set to stage the 2031 tournament after there were no competing bids to stage either that or the 2035 event. The US and UK are yet to be formally ratified as the hosts but that is expected to be a formality.
The expansion of the Women's World Cup could mean an increased number of host cities and stadiums will be required in the UK's 2035 tournament plans. Alongside Wembley, Hampden Park and Cardiff's Principality Stadium, it is thought as-yet unbuilt venues such as Manchester United's new stadium and Birmingham City's proposed new 62,000-seater home could both be in contention to host matches if built in time.
Fifa has also approved a three-pillar strategy for Afghan women's football, including the establishment of a women's refugee team, as reported by the Guardian in March.
The three pillars of the plan mean the global governing body will provide 'project-specific support for women and girls in Afghanistan', while taking into account the limitations there, embark on 'advocacy and diplomatic engagement with relevant actors' in the Taliban-led country and enhance playing opportunities and support for players outside of the country.
The third pillar includes the establishment of a team of evacuated players of Afghan nationality who will be able to participate in friendlies and tournaments organised by Fifa and will 'provide a supportive environment that prioritises player safety and wellbeing'.
Advertisement
It is understood the decision has come too late for a team to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, with Afghanistan not entered into the June qualifying campaign for the 2026 Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup, which will determine World Cup qualification.
The refugee team will be organised for a one-year pilot phase, after which its long-term viability, effectiveness and the potential of the format being used for other refugee groups will be assessed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
40 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson to step down at year's end
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson will step down at the end of the year, creating a vacancy in one of the most powerful jobs in New Zealand sport. Robinson led New Zealand's national sport for six years, through the difficult period of the pandemic when matches often took place in empty stadiums. He also has guided the sport's national governing body through difficult financial times. New Zealand Rugby has reported substantial deficits in each of the last three years. Along with many national rugby unions, New Zealand has faced increasing costs in retaining top players. The almost 20 million New Zealand dollar deficit ($10.2 million) posted by NZR in the last financial year came despite record revenues, reflecting the increasing difficulty national rugy administrators face in making ends meet. Robinson oversaw the deal in which investment company Silver Lake paid more than 200 million dollars ($120 million) for a share of NZR's commercial revenues. The deal at first was opposed by the professional players' union but later allowed NZR to financially support provincial rugby unions after the pandemic. Robinson also was party to the decision to appoint Scott Robertson as All Blacks head coach months before Ian Foster's tenure finished. Foster led the All Blacks to the final of the 2023 World Cup in which they lost by one point to South Africa. Robinson on Monday said he's leaving to join his wife and family who have relocated to Australia. "The past six years have been a period of rapid change or unprecedented challenges through the pandemic and significant evolution across commercial, competitions and structures,' Robinson said in a statement. 'I will reflect on that as I get closer to stepping away but I firmly believe the foundations of our organization are extremely strong and the game is well-placed for the future.' Robinson succeeded Steve Tew as chief executive in 2019. He will leave prior to a reorganization which will see the incoming chief executive take charge of both New Zealand Rugby and New Zealand Rugby Commercial, the sporting and commercial parts of the game. ___
Fox Sports
41 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson to step down at year's end
Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson will step down at the end of the year, creating a vacancy in one of the most powerful jobs in New Zealand sport. Robinson led New Zealand's national sport for six years, through the difficult period of the pandemic when matches often took place in empty stadiums. He also has guided the sport's national governing body through difficult financial times. New Zealand Rugby has reported substantial deficits in each of the last three years. Along with many national rugby unions, New Zealand has faced increasing costs in retaining top players. The almost 20 million New Zealand dollar deficit ($10.2 million) posted by NZR in the last financial year came despite record revenues, reflecting the increasing difficulty national rugy administrators face in making ends meet. Robinson oversaw the deal in which investment company Silver Lake paid more than 200 million dollars ($120 million) for a share of NZR's commercial revenues. The deal at first was opposed by the professional players' union but later allowed NZR to financially support provincial rugby unions after the pandemic. Robinson also was party to the decision to appoint Scott Robertson as All Blacks head coach months before Ian Foster's tenure finished. Foster led the All Blacks to the final of the 2023 World Cup in which they lost by one point to South Africa. Robinson on Monday said he's leaving to join his wife and family who have relocated to Australia. "The past six years have been a period of rapid change or unprecedented challenges through the pandemic and significant evolution across commercial, competitions and structures,' Robinson said in a statement. 'I will reflect on that as I get closer to stepping away but I firmly believe the foundations of our organization are extremely strong and the game is well-placed for the future.' Robinson succeeded Steve Tew as chief executive in 2019. He will leave prior to a reorganization which will see the incoming chief executive take charge of both New Zealand Rugby and New Zealand Rugby Commercial, the sporting and commercial parts of the game. ___ AP rugby:
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Spain focused on World Cup after defeat, says coach
Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente on the sideline at the Nations League final (John MACDOUGALL) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his side were "already thinking about the World Cup" after Sunday's Nations League final loss on penalties to Portugal in Munich. "From this very moment we are already thinking about the next World Cup, which is our goal. With the way we approach things, we are sure to go far in the future," de la Fuente said. Advertisement "Our team is always in a position to win, there is a lot of commitment, a lot of roots. We will always be close to winning." Spain led twice but were twice pegged back before the match went to extra time with scores locked at 2-2. After each side converted their first three penalties, Spain forward Alvaro Morata's effort was saved by Diogo Costa and Portugal's Ruben Neves converted to win the shootout 5-3. De la Fuente said he was "proud" of his side. Spain won the 2023 Nations League and the Euros in 2024. Sunday's loss was their first competitive international defeat since going down to Scotland in March 2023 in a Euro qualifier. Advertisement Spain's young core again impressed but the Nations League finals have again highlighted their reliance on midfielder Pedri. In Thursday's wild 5-4 win over France, Pedri came off the pitch with the score at 5-1 before France scored three late goals. On Sunday, Spain lost shape after the Barcelona midfield was subbed off late in the game. The coach admitted his players were tired after a long season, but praised Portugal. "Portugal have done things very well, they have players of the highest level," de la Fuente said. De la Fuente backed Morata after his penalty miss, saying the veteran striker was "a real champion" and "a benchmark for us." "I'm sorry he missed the penalty, but many players don't want to take one. He took one and missed it, but that happens in football." dwi/pb
